I Wanted One Night—My Billionaire Ex Wanted Forever

Moonlight filters into the bedroom, washing everything in a soft silver glow.Adrian dreams of Rosalie again.For five years, dreams have been the only place she will stay with him.Her waist-length blonde curls spill across his pillow, pale gold in the moonlight. The corners of her eyes are flushed pink, and her breathing is already ragged.When Adrian leans in to kiss her, she turns her face away. She lasts all of two breaths before turning back on her own, wrapping her arms around his neck and slipping her fingers into his damp black hair.Adrian pauses. “I thought you didn’t want me kissing you.”Rosalie keeps her eyes closed and curls closer against him.She has always been like this—fearless when she argues, quick to hide in his arms when he pushes too far.Adrian laughs under his breath and kisses her again.Her hand tightens on his shoulder. The ring on her finger brushes his neck, cool against his heated skin.He knows what it is before he looks—her wedding ring, the one that

With only minutes left before the benefit begins, Evan walks over to the host and quietly changes the program.The host looks surprised. He glances toward the center of the head table, where Adrian gives him a single nod.A staff member soon approaches Rosalie. “Mira, Mr. Mercer would like you to join the head table.”She follows his gaze.Adrian is already seated, wearing a charcoal suit instead of the black one he arrived in. The mist-blue tie she sent that afternoon is knotted neatly at his throat, the silver half-rose resting just below it.A smile slowly reaches Rosalie’s eyes.The tie was only her first test. She wanted to know whether, after five years, Adrian would still let her have her way with him.Apparently, he would.At this rate, she might actually get him into bed tonight.The place to Adrian’s right has been reset for her.Rosalie gathers her skirt and sits. The blue fabric brushes his trouser leg, and her perfume follows.Adrian continues listening to the man on his o

The auction begins as soon as the opening dance ends.Rosalie’s diamond rose brooch is saved for last.Under the spotlight, its layered petals blaze around a brilliant center stone.The bidding passes one million dollars almost immediately.Rosalie would have been pleased with one million. The room does not fall quiet until the bidding reaches $1.8 million.“Three million.”The bid comes from beside her.Rosalie turns.Adrian has already lowered his paddle, his expression unreadable.The hammer falls. Applause erupts as cameras catch Rosalie’s gown beside Adrian’s matching tie.He catches her staring. “What?”“I’m glad you like my work.”“It’s decent.”Three million dollars for decent.Rosalie lifts her glass to hide her smile.After the auction, she waits for Adrian in the second-floor lounge.Nearly twenty minutes pass before he appears with Evan, who is carrying the brooch.Adrian still wears the charcoal suit, though the mist-blue tie has been loosened at his throat. Rosalie rises

After the call ends, some of the tension that has followed Adrian all evening finally loosens.Rosalie can return to France if she wants. This time, he will be able to follow.But ninety days still isn’t enough to make him feel safe.By the time Rosalie steps out of the shower, it is past midnight in New York and almost seven in Paris.Her phone lights up with a video call from her mother. The moment she answers, a round little face fills the screen.“Mommy!”Aiden has clearly stolen his grandmother’s phone.He is already dressed for kindergarten in a pale blue cardigan and white shirt, his soft black hair falling over his forehead.His blue eyes shine the moment he sees her.Rosalie smiles as she towels her hair. “Why are you up so early?”“I have something to tell you. Uncle Julian took me for ice cream yesterday.”“Did Uncle Julian forget he has a job?”“He had the day off.” Aiden leans closer as if sharing a secret. “He’s coming to New York for a big fashion show. You’ll see him s

“Don’t go.”Rosalie looks up at him, green eyes wet and unfocused, her lips flushed from his kisses.Adrian stands beside the bed for a long moment.He has never been good at leaving her.He sits down again, removes the ring from his hand, and places it on the nightstand.“Be good.”Then he bends and kisses her.His hand slips beneath the blanket. The thin fabric hides what he is doing but none of Rosalie’s reactions.Adrian remembers every response.He knows where to linger until she forgets to be stubborn.Whenever she chases his hand, he stops until a frustrated sound escapes her.At first, Rosalie tries to match his patience, but she does not last long.“Adrian…”She reaches for him, but he catches her wrist and presses it beside her head.“Stay still.” His voice remains low as the hand beneath the blanket resumes its maddening rhythm.Rosalie’s back arches.Adrian kisses her again, swallowing every broken sound.When the blanket becomes still, she lies boneless against the mattres